The Golden Years ~ Are You Speeding

The Golden YearsAre You Speeding

Several days ago as I left a meeting at a hotel; I desperately gave myself a pat down. I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing.

police    Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My wife has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition.

My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen. As I burst through the door, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty.

I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car and that it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all, “Honey,” I stammered; I always call her “honey” in times like these. “I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.”

There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard her voice. “Idiot”, she barked, “I dropped you off!”

Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, “Well, come and get me.”

She retorted, “I will, as soon as I convince this policeman I have not stolen your car.”

Author unknown

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Reflections:  Are You Speeding

Over the years I realized I have a heavy foot. As I speed along I am always in a hurry. My family blames my California roots for all my bad habits.

I have struggled with time management over the years and usually, think I have much more time than I do. And yes the police and I have had our discussions over several tickets.

speeding-2I always try to be respectful but sometimes I grumbled about the tickets I didn’t think I deserve. Although in my heart I know I deserved far more tickets than I received.  How about you? I remembered a time when I was on my way to a speaking engagement and a police officer pulled me over.

I knew I had not been speeding (thank goodness for the speed control) and surprised to learn my taillight was not working. 

The officer walked back to his patrol car and check my registration and data. I watch him walk back a thought came to me about how thankless his job is, I can’t imagine that people are grateful for their tickets.  I sure haven’t!

When the officer came back to my car he handed me my license, insurance card, and a new ticket.  I thanked him for his service, for my ticket and for the good job he does to make our highways safe. He was speechless for a moment and then, thank me and said no one had ever told him that before.  How sad.  As I drove away I giggled and wished I had taken a picture of his face. Priceless.

Makes me want to do it again. LOL. Isn’t wonderful to honor someone else and you get the joy in the deepest part of your soul.

The Bible says:

Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. Isaiah 26:8 NLT

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21 NLT

I am so glad that I didn’t react like I felt I wanted too. After all, I was in a hurry to do God’s work.  But while I am here on earth, I am to trust the Lord, obey his laws and the laws of the land. And to bring honor and glorify His name.  That is my true purpose as I walk daily close to him. ©

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Some people, no matter how old they get never lose their beauty,

they merely move it from their faces into their hearts

Smile, God Love You
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Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, have a wonderful week.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly,
Karan Gleddie

 

Dear Friends

 

Dear Friends,

It has been a tough week this week, and last night we lost one of our family members to Cancer after a short and brave struggle.
 
My heart is broken, of not only losing a family member, but also a sweet friend. She is with the Lord tonight, and God has freed her from the pain. I take comfort in the Bible that tells me:
 
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13 
 
That is a promise that I am resting on today.  We have that hope of seeing each other again one day.
 
I am sad for our great loss and yet understand Ruby has fought the fight and won the battle. She now is face-to-face with the Lord she loves and enjoying a great reunion with friends and family who have gone on before.  She went home last night… HEAVEN.©
 

Home Where I Belong© 
  B.J.Thomas

They say that heaven’s pretty, And living here is too.
But if they said that I would have to choose between the two.
I’d go home, Going home, Where I belong.
 
And sometimes when I’m dreaming, It comes as no surprise.
That if you look and see the homesick feeling in my eyes.
I’m going home, Going home, Where I belong.
 
While I’m here I’ll serve him gladly, And sing him all my songs. I’m here, But not for long.
 
And when I’m feeling lonely, And when I’m feeling blue.
It’s such a joy to know that I am only passing through.
I’m headed home, Going home, Where I belong.
 
And one day I’ll be sleeping When death knocks on my door.
And I’ll awake and find that I’m not homesick anymore.
I’ll be home, Going home, Where I belong.
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I Am Just Passing Through
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Hugs to all, See you next week.
Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

Is Anyone Watching, Swimming lessons anyone?

 

Is Anyone Watching?

lunchThe children were lined up in the cafeteria of the Catholic elementary school for lunch.  

At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.  The nun made a note, and posted it on the apple tray:

“Take only ONE. God is watching.”

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. 

A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples..’

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Reflections:   Swimming lessons anyone?

As I enjoyed watching the Olympics the last few weeks, the discipline and commitment that each Olympian strives to achieve are amazing.

Every time I see or hear about the Olympics, I think about my daughter who became intrigued with the swimmers. I would find her in the living room practicing the butterfly stroke with the swimmers on our shag carpet. Every day she came home after school to practice. And at night I would find water on the bathroom floor as she perfected her strokes.

swimming2We soon learned that she be going on a kindergarten school trip. The class was going to a swimming pool, and she did not know how to swim. And the trip was only a week away. So we went and bought a new swimsuit for the occasion, but caution our daughter not to go into the deep end because swimming around the living room does not make her a swimmer. But, she kept insisting that she knew how to swim, after all, she had practiced!

The day arrived, and Lyle took her to school that morning and again cautioned her not to go into the deep end. He got a smile, hug, and a wave as she headed for the bus and her friends.

We waited impatiently until the time arrives to pick her up, and Lyle raced down to the school to get her.

As she got into the truck, she was unusually quiet, so Lyle asked her how the day went. And with a surprised look on her face, she said,” I jumped into the deep end of the pool, and I almost drowned?”

She was so convinced that she knew how to swim. After all, she learned all the strokes and had practiced with the best. The only thing she was missing though was the water!!!

Although we laugh at remembering this story, I wonder how many times do I think I know what’s best for myself too?

Those times when I don’t want to bother God with my problems.  And when I try to fix them myself I only I only make them worse.  I was so sure I knew how to do it.  I used God as my last resort when He should be my first. Is it pride or stubbornness that keeps me from asking for His help? ©       In:

Psalm 121:1-3 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Do yo ever feel like God has too much to do to take care of your little problems?

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

It’s Time To Practice Your Music!

It’s Time To Practice Your Music!

Lviolinittle Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while his father was trying to read in the den.

The family dog was lying in the den; and as the screeching sounds of little Harold’s violin reached his ears, the dog began to howl loudly.

The father listened to the dog and the violin as long as he could.  Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the floor,

and yelled above the noise, “For pity’s sake, can’t you play something the dog doesn’t know?”

 

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Reflections:

I am not a good singer, and I am self-conscience of my voice.  But that doesn’t keep me from singing because I do love to sing. After all the Bible says in Psalm 66:1, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth.” I always think God must have included that verse for me!

carThey say, “Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I believe those words. There have been times of sorrow, depression, and sadness in which I found it hard to keep my mind and heart from constantly dwelling on them.

I’ve often said,” It’s a long way between my head and my heart.” When we don’t understand our circumstances and find ourselves in hard places, we often want to rely on our knowledge, experience, and know-how to make everything better. But in our hearts, we feel afraid, worried and confused.

There have been times in these last few years that my head knows all the Bible verses and promises from God’s word, as well as all the praise and worship songs. But my heart still says, why? Have you ever had those feelings??

I have found over the years when I listen to music it lifts my spirits. It is something that gives me energy and joy when I can turn up the volume and sing as loud as I want. I have found the car is a perfect place for my personal concerts also. 

Psalm 13:6 (NLT)

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

Being able to sing lifts my spirit and helps me to delight in the love and care of God.  Singing also reminds me there is no problem or circumstance that is too hard for Him.  When I am singing my heart and head are one and at peace with Him.©

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me,  Do you agree?  I would love to hear what you think.
Hugs to all.

And have a great week

Lovingly, Karan

He’s Wired for Sound!

 tangled-up-in-wires-and-cablesHe’s Wired for Sound!

The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel microphone, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went.

Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly  tripping before jerking it again.

After several more times moving back and forth, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, “If he gets loose, will he hurt us?’

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Reflections:

They say “laughter is the best medicine for a hurting heart.”  I believe it.  As a child when life happened I could always see the funny side of any circumstance. Maybe it was a way to hide my anxiety and hesitation. Growing up I was unsure how to respond to stressful situations, so I just laughed.  And sometimes I would get in trouble for the inappropriate times I did laugh!  Can you relate? But I learned if I could find humor and laughter, it would relieve stresses and give me joy in a crisis-driven world.

laughing10Many years ago I was guest speaking for a group of women, in northern Canada.  The weather was warm enough to wear a skirt that day.  It was a little big around, but the button seemed secure. Besides, it was a cute skirt and matched my suit jacket. What can I say? 

As I was in the middle of my presentation, the button fell off, and I caught my skirt as it was sliding down. Trying to act as normal as I could I kept talking, grabbed my skirt and tucked it into my slip elastic. Whew! I am so glad I decided to wear a slip that day; it could have been just a pantyhose day.  I am also thankful for the women at the head table beside me, who remained stoic during my presentation, they can surely say they have seen it all.

I believe God has a great sense of humor. He must laugh when he sees us scurrying around trying to fix all our problems. Only too soon we reach the befuddling, confused and worn out state of crises.  I often do that myself.

Many times I think I don’t want to bother God with the little stuff he is too busy. I can be his deputy shepherd, and help him by taking care of them myself. Only to make a bigger mess. Only to run the back to God so he can fix it quick. Do you do that too?  I love that He never refuses and always has plenty of grace, forgiveness, and love to fix that which in broken.  The Bible says;

You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.       

 Nehemiah 9:17 

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, let me know what you think.

 Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan